Comments on: Driving Safe in Regina http://www.jordoncooper.com/2010/02/02/driving-safe-in-regina/ A weblog about urbanism, technology, & culture. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:54:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Nels Cross http://www.jordoncooper.com/2010/02/02/driving-safe-in-regina/comment-page-1/#comment-10053 Nels Cross Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:41:36 +0000 http://www.jordoncooper.com/2010/02/02/driving-safe-in-regina/#comment-10053 Jordon --- my apologies for misspelling your name.... Jordon — my apologies for misspelling your name….

]]> By: Nels Cross http://www.jordoncooper.com/2010/02/02/driving-safe-in-regina/comment-page-1/#comment-10052 Nels Cross Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:40:10 +0000 http://www.jordoncooper.com/2010/02/02/driving-safe-in-regina/#comment-10052 Mike-Jordan, My first guess would be brakes or steering as well. It should be noted on the Air Brakes system that if the system loses air pressure the brakes depress and apply. So, in theory, if a bus was being operated and lost air pressure the bus would stop where it is. I'm also not sure what an SGI audit looks at, but the issues could also stem from failing to follow up on other out of service issues, such as lights, cracked windshields, tire tread depth, etc... easily fixed items. Nelson Mike-Jordan,

My first guess would be brakes or steering as well. It should be noted on the Air Brakes system that if the system loses air pressure the brakes depress and apply. So, in theory, if a bus was being operated and lost air pressure the bus would stop where it is.

I’m also not sure what an SGI audit looks at, but the issues could also stem from failing to follow up on other out of service issues, such as lights, cracked windshields, tire tread depth, etc… easily fixed items.

Nelson

]]> By: Mike O http://www.jordoncooper.com/2010/02/02/driving-safe-in-regina/comment-page-1/#comment-10042 Mike O Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:46:53 +0000 http://www.jordoncooper.com/2010/02/02/driving-safe-in-regina/#comment-10042 Probably the most likely defect is leaks in the air brake system. Air brakes are fairly fragile, and the complex system of valves, hoses and compressors takes a beating from vibration, dirt, heat and cold weather. Often times, the compressors and feed pipes get leaks, which means that it takes a long time for the system to build up pressure. It is not necessarily unsafe, since the reserve tank holds plenty of air, but a bus like that generally requires an operator that is both experienced, and familiar with that bus to run it. A rookie may just jump in and go, not realizing he has marginal brakes. And a long downtown run, with lots of stops would deplete the air quickly; again posing a safety risk. A rookie may not be able to juggle all the constraints of downtown, and also manage limited air. All the hoses and valves directly connected to the brakes have to be leak-free; otherwise the bus can't be used. But anything upstream from the final valve can leak like a sieve, and, in theory, still work. Probably the most likely defect is leaks in the air brake system. Air brakes are fairly fragile, and the complex system of valves, hoses and compressors takes a beating from vibration, dirt, heat and cold weather. Often times, the compressors and feed pipes get leaks, which means that it takes a long time for the system to build up pressure. It is not necessarily unsafe, since the reserve tank holds plenty of air, but a bus like that generally requires an operator that is both experienced, and familiar with that bus to run it. A rookie may just jump in and go, not realizing he has marginal brakes. And a long downtown run, with lots of stops would deplete the air quickly; again posing a safety risk. A rookie may not be able to juggle all the constraints of downtown, and also manage limited air.

All the hoses and valves directly connected to the brakes have to be leak-free; otherwise the bus can’t be used. But anything upstream from the final valve can leak like a sieve, and, in theory, still work.

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